Society

Hanoians facing water shortages

Hanoi Water Company to turn off supply in certain areas for short periods.

by Son Ho

Clean water providers in Hanoi reported on plans for water supplies this summer at a meeting held by the Department of Propaganda of the Hanoi Party Committee.

It is estimated that demand for clean water during the summer months will increase by 7 to 10 per cent compared to the summer of 2014, according to the Hanoi Water Company, with 620,000 to 675,000 cubic meters of water needing to be pumped out every day. The company’s underground water resources, however, are only about 585,000 to 620,000 cubic meters.

Having foreseen such a situation the company has already implemented a range of measures to address possible shortfalls, such as replacing dilapidated wells to curb waste and losses and increasing the capacity of water storage stations like Don Thuy, Bach Mai, Ngo Si Lien, and Kim Lien. It has even used tank trucks to supply water to different areas.

But these are only temporary solutions and stronger solutions are needed. Output from underground wells is declining by 2 per cent every year and supply from the Da River cannot be increased. Meanwhile, demand is increasing by an average of 3 per cent annually due to urbanization and the expansion of the water supply network. In addition, whenever a heat wave strikes demand increases by 10 to 15 per cent, resulting in a water shortage in the vicinity of 60,000 to 70,000 cubic meters every day.

The Hanoi Water Company therefore announced supply will be shut down for short periods over the summer in certain areas, primarily in the districts of Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, and Dong Da, and in a few areas of Hai Ba Trung, Hoang Mai and Cau Giay districts.